Course du Soleil in the snow
It won’t be just snowfall halting traffic on Sunday morning, over a thousand runners are expected to take part in the annual Course du Soleil this weekend – despite the freezing temperatures – resulting in some traffic disruptions in the morning.
Fifth man charged over Unik death
Police have charged a fifth man over the death of jeweller Thierry Unik. Hafid Dafri, a 41-year-old resident of Cannes La Bocca, will now face life imprisonment for his involvement in the armed robbery case that has rocked the Riviera.
Drop a degree!
As the Côte d’Azur shivers, electricity and energy consumption has continued to soar. With temperatures due to drop below freezing again tonight, people in the region are being encouraged to cut back on their electricty usage in a bid to reduce the risk of power cuts.

Sarkozy’s ‘emergency’ plan for jobs
With almost ten per cent of the population in France now unemployed, President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a 430-million euro job creation package. Most of the measures have come as no surprise, having been fed to the media throughout the month. But there was one unexpected announcement – an “unprecedented” commitment to training the country’s potential workforce, who will then have no choice but to accept the jobs they are offered.
Fatal police shooting
Police are investigating the death of a 76-year-old man who was killed on Wednesday during a police shoot-out in Le Pradet. One officer remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Suspended sentences for Grasse police
Protesters took to the streets of Grasse yesterday after prosectors recommended suspended sentences for police involved in the death of a Tunisian man in 2008. A group of around 40 people were demanding justice for victim Hakim Ajimi.

Lights out at Nice airport
Runway lights at the Nice Côte d’Azur airport failed yesterday evening, prompting a stack of cancelled flights and major delays.
La Seyne maternity ward closes
The maternity ward in Seyne-sur-Mer has been ordered to close its doors and relocate to the Saint Musse hospital in Toulon. The news has angered local residents who have fought against the closure for several months.
French population hits 65.35 million
France’s population reached a new high last year with a whopping 65.35 million people now living in the country. According to statistics revealed by Insee this week, the growth is due to more people living longer and a higher birth rate.

10 years for deathly drunken row
A school kitchen worker has been sentenced to ten years behind bars after being found guilty of the manslaughter of her husband during a drunken domestic dispute. The woman hit her partner repeatedly over the head with a wine bottle during what witnesses say was one of many alcohol-fuelled arguments.
Avalanche alert in Alps
The Alps has been put on orange alert after of a series of snowstorms yesterday evening left tourists stranded and roads cut off. Météo France has forecast “a very high” avalanche risk for the rest of the day and warns skiers and climbers to take care.
Leading French bank cuts 880 jobs
One of France’s largest banks, Société générale, has announced that it will cut 1,500 jobs globally in 2012. French workers will bear the brunt of the cutbacks, with a crippling 880 job losses across the country.

Rape acquittal appeal
The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor is set to launch an appeal against last week’s acquittal of four Nice police officers. Three of the men were charged with raping a prostitute in a police van while the fourth man was accused of failing to help the woman in danger.
Christmas magic on the Riviera
Whether it’s looking for a present for the man-that-has-everything or a festive family outing, the French Riviera continues to deliver non-stop Christmas cheer to visitors and residents this yuletide season. While Monaco has been decorated in a very traditional spirit reminiscent of childhood memories, Mougins took culinary fanatics on a mouth-watering journey with winter cooking workshops. A new record was even set for the longest chocolate yule log! And the fun doesn’t end here, New Year in
‘Auto-partage’ closes in Antibes
There’s disappointing news for subscribers of the eco-friendly car company ‘Cité vu’ after the shock announcement of the closure of their self-service electronic car program in Antibes.

Rape acquittal appeal
The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor is set to launch an appeal against last week’s acquittal of four Nice police officers. Three of the men were charged with raping a prostitute in a police van while the fourth man was accused of failing to help the woman in danger.
Christmas magic on the Riviera
Whether it’s looking for a present for the man-that-has-everything or a festive family outing, the French Riviera continues to deliver non-stop Christmas cheer to visitors and residents this yuletide season. While Monaco has been decorated in a very traditional spirit reminiscent of childhood memories, Mougins took culinary fanatics on a mouth-watering journey with winter cooking workshops. A new record was even set for the longest chocolate yule log! And the fun doesn’t end here, New Year in
‘Auto-partage’ closes in Antibes
There’s disappointing news for subscribers of the eco-friendly car company ‘Cité vu’ after the shock announcement of the closure of their self-service electronic car program in Antibes.

Var weather warning
The Prefect of the Var has put the region on moderate warning this afternoon with strong waves expected along the west coastline.
New implant cancer cases revealed
The French Minister of Health has announced a total of nine cases of cancer related to the defective PIP breast implants. Two women have died from cancer which is thought to have been contracted from the potentially deadly implants, while around 30,000 women are believed to be still be carrying the defective product.
Pollution fines for Draguignan company
A Draguignan company has been ordered to pay over 500,000 euros in fines for environmental damages. Pizzorno Environnement was found guilty of illegally dumping dangerous substances in landfill sites over a three year period.

ATM thieves in Bandol
Simple scamming techniques have been used to steal several hundreds of euros from unaware victims at ATM machines in Bandol. Police are questioning two individuals believed to be involved in the recent scams.
BP depot to close in Pugets-sur-Argens
As part of a national prevention plan against environmental damage, the British Petroleum plant in Puget-sur-Argens is set to close its doors next month. There are fears that the BP plant is polluting roads and areas close by.
Ryanair celebrates 50 millionth customer in France
One of Europe’s largest airlines, Ryanair, has celebrated its 50 millionth passenger travelling on a France flight, and will offer a nice little flight deal to passengers as recognition.

ATM thieves in Bandol
Simple scamming techniques have been used to steal several hundreds of euros from unaware victims at ATM machines in Bandol. Police are questioning two individuals believed to be involved in the recent scams.
BP depot to close in Pugets-sur-Argens
As part of a national prevention plan against environmental damage, the British Petroleum plant in Puget-sur-Argens is set to close its doors next month. There are fears that the BP plant is polluting roads and areas close by.
Ryanair celebrates 50 millionth customer in France
One of Europe’s largest airlines, Ryanair, has celebrated its 50 millionth passenger travelling on a France flight, and will offer a nice little flight deal to passengers as recognition.

Italy strikes against austerity
As Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti is trying to push through painful budget-cutting measures worth 30 billion euros, the country is preparing to go on strike. The three-year plan, which was approved in an emergency cabinet session on Sunday, has arrived amid widespread dissatisfaction, but the new PM maintains it will pull the country back from the brink of insolvency.
French Alpine glaciers decline
According to new research, glaciers in the French Alps have a lost a quarter of their area in the past 40 years. The new inventory was announced at this year’s American Geophysical Union meeting.
Injured policeman dies in hospital
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced the death of officer Eric Lales, the brave policeman who was shot during a police chase in Vitrolles on Monday 28th November. The Head of State has paid tribute to Eric’s courageous bravery as he helped the public “up until the very last moment of his life.”